UFO Show and Tell

UFOs are NOT unidentified flying objects. At least, not in the world of quilting! Nope - that means UNFINISHED OBJECT. And there are a ton of other acronyms that have so cleverly been put together over the years. OH MY -- I just found a site with a LOT of acronyms. Check them out! Some pretty funny ones. 

Before I get to the show and tell, I need to clarify one small detail about my wee rant yesterday. Some people sign up for classes with excellent intentions. Then life deals them a blow, and they are not able to continue or even to start. I know of several people in my classes this happened to. I know these people are not the ones to sit on the fence, so that comment was NOT directed to them. Nope - it's the ones that have NO intention of ever doing anything in the class; they are there just to watch. 

I have to say, it's a bit unnerving sometimes. Are they spies for another teacher? What do they do with my notes? Do they share them with someone else? Do they turn around and teach the class? I had that happen - someone attended my classes (and did the project). Then I discover thery used my ideas and tips and taught the same class at a different shop! That has happened more than once. What can you do?? 

I don't know that they handed out my notes, but they definitely used my schedule and ideas. But you know that flattery is the best form of a compliment. I don't mind people using my notes for their own personal use, but to take my ideas and then teach a class? Sigh.............

There is no shortage of enthusiasm in this house, and certainly, the sky is the limit as to find new things to learn. The list keeps getting longer and longer, and I discovered something in the last week, and well - I can't go there today, but perhaps later this week. I'm so excited, and let's just say that a HUGE BLACK hole just opened. I thank my family genes EVERY DAY for being blessed with a high level of energy, enthusiasm, and curiosity. I don't need anything else in life - I'll be entertained until my last breath!!

But I digress -- it's time for some Show and Tell. It was a busy weekend, with loads of show and tell. Today, I'm tackling the UFO homework. I'm happy to report that NO MONEY went into the kitty this month. This group is COMMITTED, and I love it. We motivate each other, and that's all that counts. The number of UFOs is slowly being diminished, and well, I couldn't ask for more. 

And on that note, let's get started. 

These are NOT in the order that they got presented to the group. They are the order that they appear in my folder. 

I'm first! OK -- so I was so happy, I got the photos from everyone on time, and the presentation was done. Then I get to my page and a total blank! While I finished my project, I had totally forgotten to take a picture and put it in the presentation. Thankfully, I turned my computer and the group could see it on the wall behind me!!

Here is the FIRST of two quilts from that mystery quilt project. All those blocks were supposed to be used as the border of the giant original quilt. I added a solid sashing between the rows and added an inner border around the entire thing. Then I used up most of those strips of the busy print and then one more skinny red border. It's the perfect size for Quilts of Valour. I need to make the binding and the backing and move onto the second quilt. Am I happy? You bet!!!!

My completed quilt top

Colleen got her scrappy butterfly quilt together. That is a LOT of sewing. And it's funny how you peg people. She is the last person I would say would be into scrappy, but she loves it, and she's good at it!!! Way to go, Colleen. 

Colleen's Tulip Time, minus borders

She also finished up the quilt top for one of the July Shop Hops. I believe this one was 2016. Some piecing, some applique, and a huge learning curve as she just bought a new sewing machine. 

July Shop Hop quilt 2016

Slow and steady is Dede's motto. Here are four more blocks from the Dear Jane quilt. She's working on the blocks that can be paper pieced. This was a class that I taught a number of years ago, and we greatly changed up the methods of putting this one together. Way to go, Dede!!!!

Four more Dear Jane blocks

Diane is working on her LAST (absolute) last Celtic quilt. This was from the Northcott Stonehenge fabric collection several years ago. Shops created a block using the collection, and consumers purchased kits or patterns. This is Diane's fourth (and LAST) quilt using her purchases. 

Progress on Diane's Celtic Stonehenge quilt

Elaine got her Loon Quilt quilted and trimmed. This one has been around for a LONG time, but it's done, and that's all that counts!! Way to go!!!

The Loon wall hanging is now quilted!

Jane is working on a T-shirt quilt. I love when people give themselves a commitment and then go further. She was only going to get five T-shirts stabilized and cut. Nope - she got almost all of them done. Awesome job, Jane!!!!

T-shirt blocks 

More T-shirt blocks

And instead of making ONE block for her bargello table runner, she completed the entire thing!!!!  Yep - once you get going, the job isn't nearly as bad as you thought it would be. 

Jane's bargello table runner

Katheleen is a great example of practice making perfect. Years ago, she took the leap into the free motion world, and her quilting is AMAZING. So her goal was to quilt one more of the blocks in this quilt. These blocks are huge, and that was a pretty intense couple of hours to complete this. Awesome job!!!!

Gorgeous free motion quilting

And she got her cow quilt assembled. This was the result of a group exchange we did a number of years ago. It's so darn cute!!! The backing and the binding are also done, and it's ready to be quilted!! Yahoo!!!!

Katheleen's cow quilt

Linda W. was busy as a beaver this month. She got the binding put on this giant quilt. 

Linda's quilt with the binding

Then she quilted and bound this house quilt. 

Linda's Covid house quilt project

And I love what she did with the backing. 

And this is the backing

In addition, she's working on her Aunt Millie's Garden. This is stunning. The colors against the black background are to die for!!!! So the main part of the top is together, all the applique on the top is now done, and she's working on the borders. 

Linda's Aunt Millie's quilt

There's nothing like a bit of cash and some peer pressure to get things done. Actually, it's not that at all. It's the focus!!!!

OK -- I have time for one more project. The rest will have to wait until tomorrow. This is Linda G's quilt top from over 20 years ago!!!  The final border is now on the quilt, and it looks awesome. There's just a wee problem  - those bow tie blocks are dimensional, and she has a long arm. So that means those 3-D bits will have to be tacked down in order to stitch a design, or it needs to be done custom. 

Linda G's quilt top

And I noticed on the screen behind Linda that she has partially assembled another top that was on her UFO list last month. She didn't have any homework assigned to that project, but she's working on it.

Don't get me wrong - I love the 3-D effect, but when it comes to quilting? I could kill the person who thought dimensional blocks are so cute. I mean - flying geese in 3-D - gorgeous, but a pain to quilt. 

OK -- so I thought I'd get ahead of the game and sign up for the sessions at Quilt Canada. Only to discover that I have time conflicts with BOTH of them. What are the chances of that? One of them is NOT being recorded. Sigh............  So I'll sign up for one lecture and one of the tours. I must try and get that done today. 

I did not get to the long arm, nor did I get to spend much time outside, other than my walking time. But that's OK - I was in the house on one or two computers doing some cool stuff and teaching classes, so I was OK. You can't do everything every day!!!

But as usual, it's another busy day! I've got a ton of samples to make, and I spent some time this morning assembling supplies. Except I cannot find the giant ball of pink chenille yarn. How can you lose something like that? Thankfully, I have other colors, but I really wanted the pink one!!

Oh well - it's time to get the day rolling!!  Today, it's all about mending!! Do you have something around the house that you have intended to mend, and you still haven't go there? Well, today is the day!! Get that item out, get the supplies to fix it, and get 'er done!!!!

Have a super day and get out and enjoy this weather if you can. 

Ciao!!!!

The way home

 

What's with the crazy weather? We had crazy rain for most of the day, and how about that wind? I don't think we had any issues at our house, but you can hear the house creaking in the wind, and those little bathroom vents flap like crazy!

The girls were thrilled to see me, and I managed to walk with each of them between the rain. I got lucky because this wasn't just rain - it was torrential rain driven by the wind. Fortunately, whenever the rain started, I was snuggled up with a quilt in my chair, trying to finish that darn book! I'm happy to report that I'm very close to the end. 

I really have to laugh when I read the flap inside the front cover, trying to remember why I thought it would be a good book. It's a FAST-PACED, philosophical book. OH - that should have been my first clue. Philosophical, NOT psychological! It's very philosophical, and sometimes, I think that half of it could be left out and still make as much sense as it does now. Oh well, not to worry - I'm almost done! 

I couldn't help myself, but I stated a REAL book yesterday as well, and I'm already hooked on the first page! Ruth Ware - her books are always good!

I did NOT get in a second walk yesterday, so my mileage was lower than normal yesterday. That leaves me with SEVEN miles to go to hit the Santa Monica Pier! Seven miles! I should be able to hit that today. How exciting to know that I've walked the entire length of Route 66. I'm pretty excited about that! 

I haven't unpacked my bag of finished stuff from the retreat. I was back to cutting fabric that I need for a quilt! NO time to waste!

This was me yesterday - cutting blue strips. 

Cutting blue strips

I started out with three boxes of blue scraps. How does one get THREE boxes? Anyway, I went through two of them and pulled out the dark blues. I further refined the fabric selections as I went through the pile, and what I didn't use went NEATLY back into one of the boxes. So here's the first of the three boxes, all neatly folded and ready for the next time I need some blues. 

One box of blue scraps neatly sorted

This morning, I went through the third box and pulled the dark blues. This is what I still need to go through in greater detail. Pick out the ones that I want and cut them. The pieces I cut are going in the third box, and I'll continue to sew them later this morning. It's Monday sewing after all!!!

Fabrics that need to be sorted through

That's a HUGE job to go through those three boxes, but I sure hope that there'll be only TWO boxes of blue scraps when I'm finished. But it also means that I should find another scrap project with blues because wouldn't it be nice if I only had ONE box of scraps? 

This quilt has a deadline, so I can't put it off. I MUST continue to cut and sew. Although I also have homework that needs to be prepped for this coming weekend, I still owe a couple of documents to my students to finish some projects. 

I just want to thank the ladies for the most amazing weekend. It was loads of fun, I learned lots about them, about me, and well - we just worked together as a team! They were great at keeping things tidy; I was great at starting and keeping the fire going! Great teamwork!

I did get a few more things finished yesterday morning before we left. The mini quilt is DONE!! The binding is made - I just need to find some backing material. 

The mini quilt top is done

So those blocks have been sitting for quite some time. And now it's done! I worked on a couple more things, and I realize that I didn't get pictures. And as mentioned, I haven't unpacked the bag yet, so I didn't catch those. You'll get to see that tomorrow. 

I also finished off these three eyeglass cases. Again, they were almost finished but just needed a bit of work. They've sat on the work tables for a while. Now they are also done, and each of them has a home. Thanks to Ronda for donating the kit to me! She got to pick one of the cases!

Three eyeglass cases

This should bring back some memories for people. It's Ronda's Dear Jane quilt that we worked on at The Hobby Horse years ago! I don't even want to say how many, but it's been a while. I quilted it before I got my long arm computer, and that was several years ago. All she had to do was hand stitch the binding in place. And now that's done!!!!

Ronda's Dear Jane quilt

Here's my retreat basket after I got home. It barely looks like anything came out of it! So much for running out of things to do. There's probably another five or more days of work in there! That hilarious! 

The retreat basket

We all did very well at taking one container of projects, and none of us ran out! Not even close. So after how many retreats? Close to 50 quilting retreats, and I've got the packing down! I did throw a few small things in the box for the next retreat! Why not - it was fun to work on some small things on Sunday morning!

Now it's back to reality! I've got seven presentations this week, which is a nice number. Then the number decreases over the next three weeks. Then some time off to regroup, do some major planning for next year, and then it'll be off again! 

If you're interested in coloring embroidery designs with InkTense pencils, you might want to check out this free class offered by Michael's and taught by Karen Charles. I LOVE Karen - she's so creative, and well, I'm not sure I'm going to do the class, but I'm going to watch Karen. Oh, silly me - of course, I'm going to do the class. 

The week's schedule is set, and it's very doable, so that's a nice feeling. I've got a few quilts to quilt and stuff to sew. As my Dad says, I'll never be bored! 

Have a super day!!

Ciao!!

A blast from the past

Yipeee - it's a FREE day today. I have one thing on the calendar and it's totally my call if I go or not. It's a used book sale - of course, I'm going!

I bailed from the meeting I was supposed to go to last night. After the three classes and all the stuff that went on in the last couple of weeks, I was tired. So I came home, had dinner with DH and then sat and read my book. It was glorious! I even ignored my alarm this morning. Well, after I shut it off, I decided that I didn't need to get up yet so I just lay there for a while and contemplated life.

I'll be editing some pictures later today so I'm ready for the upcoming week. Lots and lots of pictures but that's what keeps us both entertained. Right?

During our show n tell yesterday, one of the participants brought in the most amazing show n tell. I'll share it in just a second. And I received a show n tell from a past participant. It was fun to see both of these projects.

This is Suzi's Dear Jane quilt. It's STUNNING. She hasn't decided how she'll quilt it yet, but the top is completely done! There were a ton of different techniques in this class. Hand piecing, paper piecing, applique, curved piecing and a whole lot more. We did that as an ongoing class in 2012, 2013 and half of 2014. It was a LOT of work. I was thrilled to see the top finished. How would you quilt it? By hand? By machine? And how??

Suzi's Dear Jane quilt top

The second finished quilt top is from Andrea. This is the Dragon Star by Judy Niemeyer. It's paper pieced. We did this class in 2013 so it took her 6 years, but that doesn't matter - it's done!!!!  She's sending it off to be quilted in a couple of weeks.

Andrea's Dragon Star

I just had a peek at the list of classes (our ongoing classes). I started teaching them in 2003!!!!!  We started off with ONE class per year and then went to two and sometimes more. Over the years, there have been 39 different quilts. THIRTY-NINE!!!!!!!  That's just insane and I have to admit that many of my versions are still not done. And they are BIG so that's a huge problem. I'm working on them. I should take a recap of them all and see where I stand. It would be nice to get all of them finished. Thinking about the other ones I taught at a different store (s), I'm thinking there are over FORTY of them.

If you go back to this blog post from 2013, there's a partial list (and pictures of some of the ones that we've done in the past). I'll compile a complete list at some point because it's a superb reference. We quickly forget the year!!!!  But I need help. I cannot for the life of me remember which quilt we did at The Hobby Horse in 2017. I know we did Kaleidoscope as one quilt, but what the heck was the other? I haven't had a chance to check my fabrics and I didn't write that one down.


So the other day when I was walking the girls, I noticed this sign still sitting on a neighbor's lawn. Hmm - the old me would have plucked that thing out of the ground and squirreled it away. Nope - not now. I have way too many. They are neatly stored in the garage and I don't need more. Why do I covet those signs? Because they're made with corrugated plastic and make wonderful bottoms for tote bags that prevent saggy tote bag bottoms. Here's a link to my tip.

Election sign up for grabs

Back to the pillowcase challenge. I thought about it on my way to class yesterday. Are 100 pillowcases even possible in one day? Well - if one person could make three in an hour (this method of making a pillowcase is called the 20-minute pillowcase), then in 6 hours, they could make 18. And if you had 6 people - you would have 108. Yep - we can make a 100 in the day. We're not making the french seam but going to use the serger so that step will make them even faster to make. We'll have time for lunch!

I had a quick peek into the stash room. Oh boy - there's a LOT of fabric that would fit this category. Here's a basket of licensed characters - Barbie, Winnie the Pooh, etc. Perfect for kids pillowcases. There are a few that have metallic on them so they are out, but this basket is going to be severely reduced (I hope).

Basket of licensed children's fabrics

PLUS there are THREE more baskets with bright fabrics that would work. Now some of the pieces are NOT large enough. So the first cull will be to sort out the pieces that are too small and then sort out any metallic. Then I can match up the fabrics to get the main body and a band. And there's also the question of directional prints. You can make the pillowcase with directional prints - you just have to cut it slightly different. I have written instructions for directional prints and once I figure out how to post that, I'll share it with you.

Three more baskets of bright fabrics

Seriously!!!  What the heck am I going to do with these four baskets of fabric? I haven't touched most of that stuff in years but it's all good quality and fun stuff. It's perfect for this charity program. I certainly can't take it with me and I would much rather it be used on a fun day with friends than donated to a guild so they can use it. No way - this is my stuff and I'm determined to make good use of it. It's time to get it used up!!!!!

Here's how the day will work. The date booked to make pillowcases for Ryan's Case for Smiles project is Tuesday, December 3. You do NOT need to bring a sewing machine. I'll have three sergers set up and three sewing machines. We're going to make a sweatshop. Someone can do the pressing, someone can sew the first seam on the sewing machine, others can do the serging and others can finish off the seam ends. Someone can be cutting although would be nice to have everything cut BEFORE the day starts. If you can only come for an hour, then you come just for one hour. If you can stay longer, great. It's going to be loads of fun!!!! 

Keep in mind, this is NOT a race. We want good quality work on our pillowcases.  If you have some time on that day to spare or some fabric to donate, e-mail me so I can get everything coordinated. I'm going to start sorting those baskets later today.

Things to remember if you want to help. Check this link to see what kind of fabrics are acceptable and what are not. This is EXTREMELY important. There's no sense in making a pillowcase if they won't accept it. We're going to be very strict about this. Although it's easy. No flannel, no metallic. And make them bright and cheery. Yes - winter-themed or even Christmas will work as there are children who will spend Christmas in the hospital.

Go to this link to get the instructions for cutting and sewing. If you want to make some on your own and add to our stack, then do so. I see a photo op for blog posts, quilt magazines, the local newspaper. Let's make this BIG.

The more places that I find to use up stuff that I have acquired the more excited I get. This is why I accumulated a huge stash over the years. Now I can actually use it!!!! I didn't buy it to give it away as I've seen many people do. What's the point of that? I might as well stand at the door and hand out money to people who walk by. This way, we get to have FUN days as we use up our stashes.

On that note, I'm out of here.

Have a great day!!!!


Ciao!!!!

Random things..................

Tonight, I get to stay home!  Last night was guild night.  Oh my - so many exciting things happening at the guild. Everyone was in a super positive mood and well, I didn't stop talking the entire night!  Oh no that's a lie. I did stop talking when Doris Lovadina-Lee was speaking about the Modern Quilt world. And I didn't even get to see everything that I wanted to see. 

I was browsing some e-mails this morning and came across this fabulous recap of QuiltCon East. The only thing missing is a picture of me, but that's OK since it's not my blog and I don't know this person and I'm certainly not famous enough to be stopped for a random photo. I would be lying if I said I would try to put a recap together as well - you know me - it will take months for that to happen. We're just back and already I'm up to my eyeballs organizing the next two shows. I haven't even had time to close off my report from the January show!

Despite all the hoopla last night, someone came up to me and paid me a compliment. I won't mention the person, but they said that "WE are proud of you!"   She didn't elaborate who WE was, but I asked her why. I think because they are happy that I'm doing what I love, I can represent our guild, our Canadian quilters and our passion in the great big quilting world?  I'm not sure, but you know what - it made me feel great.  Notice how the teeniest comments can really boost someone's spirits!   Thank you for the compliment and I hope that I continue to do the quilting world proud!   And if you see someone - say HI, give them a compliment. It could make their day!

The library at our guild was having a book sale and look what I found for twenty cents.  I know I don't need it, but it's a cute little book. Who knows - I may need it one day soon?

Singer Illustrated Dressmaking Guide

Twenty of the guild members just came back from a retreat.  You could tell as the show n tell was HUGE.  There must have been a contest to see who could get the most done. I wonder how much stuff they took and did it all fit in a laundry basket?

Speaking of the laundry basket, I have to admit that I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed since I got back. Not because of what needs to be done, but I don't have things written down. That darn Task Master has created a BAD BAD habit!   I took some time while I munched on Wendy's chicken fingers for dinner to get my notebook out and write down tasks for various things that are upcoming (both work and personal - the two are so connected that it's very hard to separate them!)

I feel much more in control and early this morning, I was able to empty one of the two bags that I've been carrying around forever.  Yeah!  There is a light at the end of that tunnel, except that just when I get close, someone moves the entrance again!  I know I wouldn't be happy any other way.

I think everyone is aware by now of the slab blocks that are being assembled into quilts for the Ronald McDonald houses across Canada.  It's organized by the Canadian Quilters' Association and it's called the Canada's Big Quilt Bee.  Members of our guild have made over THREE HUNDRED blocks.  That's crazy!!!!  I took twelve of the blocks (don't say a word!!!!)  and I'll be finishing a quilt and taking it back for it to be donated.  Come on - it's just twelve blocks to sew together  (and quilt and bind!)    They really, really want finished quilts, not just random blocks, so if someone else wants to get blocks, you should check with Jane at the guild.  Time is running out!!!!

Slab blocks to sew together into a quilt 

Thanks for all the comments, suggestions on labeling rulers. Helen Anne brought in her sample to show me last night!  I have the best friends ever and Ruth had also suggested this method. Someone else suggested clear labels.  Hmm - which will be best?  Got to decide before the next retreat!

Mark the rulers with a Sharpie

So much to say and so little time.  I have loads of blogging material for next week but thought I would share this next story with you today.  I got these pictures last night from a student who took my Dear Jane class a few years ago. She informed me that her and her friend BOTH finished their quilts.  They are done done done!!!!   Hand quilted no less. The only thing they changed was to NOT add the scalloped border.

Judy's Dear Jane

Judy's Dear Jane

It warms my heart to no end to get pictures like this. I didn't do the work, I didn't see all the blood, sweat and tears (remember - it's hand quilted!!!), but I feel so blessed that I was able to inspire one of my students to finish a project that they started.  I'm over the moon thrilled.

I bundled two more quilts off for publication in upcoming magazines and a few more in the works, but I'm waiting on fabric to be printed.  I think I know what I'll be sewing at one of my upcoming sewing retreats!

On that note, I'm out of here. It's going to be a crazy busy day and I still have some prep work to finish for the tuffet class tomorrow.

Have a super, super day!!!!


Ciao!

Flash back to Dear Jane.........................

What a weekend!   Lots of stuff happening - almost glad it is Monday to relax a bit!  But I got to see some people I haven't seen in a while, got MORE goodies to show you another day but first I have a VERY IMPORTANT show n tell for you.

Do you remember a while back that we worked on the Dear Jane quilt. The actual class ran for 2 1/2 years.  It was a lot of hard work and sweat by the participants. The blocks were tiny, the designs were intricate and required numerous methods of construction.  Those triangle borders - well I won't write my true feeling about them.  However I am THRILLED to show you what I got in my inbox the other day.

This is Jo's Dear Jane.   It is gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jo's Dear Jane quilt

Jo's Dear Jane quilt

I wish I could see her to congratulate her in person and give her a big hug. Hopefully she gave herself a major pat on the back for getting this done.  Jo - I hope your family appreciates this quilt - if not - at least you are enjoying it on your bed. Very proud of you for getting it done - that is a HUGE HUGE accomplishment. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!   (and thanks for sharing with me!)


Now here is another very unusual quilt but definitely very blog worthy.   You see people send me links and pictures and I am very happy to use those on the blog.  It rarely happens that I run out of things to say, but nice to have stuff to show that didn't come from me.

Marie sent me this picture.  Here is the story............

The story goes they (Marie's friends) were sort of lost in Buena Vista, Newfoundland when they spotted this 'quilt' and stopped to take a picture.  Look closely and you will see that the landscape is very rocky and this lady thought the best way to hide her rocky yard would be to highlight it.  They met the lady who painted the 'quilt' since she was outside laying her wood out so it would dry.  By the way, this lady was in a wheelchair when she painted her quilt on the rocks.

A rocky quilt

Now isn't that just the neatest thing and can you imagine painting all those straight lines.  It looks awesome!!!!!    Thanks Marie for sharing that story!!!!



And now here is the show n tell from our Quilting Inspirations class.  Actually some call it the table runner clas, others call it free motion which can be confusing sometimes!!!  

Anyway - last month the class was to make this table runner. This month - we chatted about free motion and they got some ideas on how to quilt this particular table runner and some great tips on free motion quilting. I told you about the class - but anyway - I think the class if full.  Well - there is one spot left.  Call Ruti's to get connected - it's not too late.

Carol

Beth

Barb

Mary

Liz

 OK - I KNOW that I screwed up those names.  I usually go by who sits where and well my brain just isn't functioning this morning.  Anyway - the bottom line is that they did a great job on piecing the table runners. Technically those lines are supposed to be slanted (more like the last one which in fact does belong to Liz), but many had difficulty doing that.  Not from a construction issue, but from "I need it to be straight" issue.  Funny how we get so set in our ways!

Now let's see how they manage with the free motion quilting. It really is a great class and loads to learn.

I have been working on my free download pattern that was supposed to be available eons ago.  Thankfully I waited.  I knew there was something wrong with it. Well I did run into a problem when I was piecing it yesterday and by last night - I couldn't see the forest for the trees.  But as I was sleeping, my brain figured out how to fix the problem and so today - I will be attempting to get that pattern done so it can be up loaded to the internet. I would rather the pattern be late than wrong.  Nothing like having loads of people call you to say - "did you know that the pattern instructions are wrong?"  

On that note -I am out of here - off to the gym.

Have a great day!!!!!


Ciao!!!!!!!!!

Dear Jane - second to last reveal!!!!!!!!!!!

I know - can you believe it - we had our LAST class a week ago.  I bet that group had no idea what they were getting into when they signed up for the class TWO and a HALF years ago.  I know - who knew!!!!   But we have had some sneek peaks at the quilts and they are going to be stunning. Definitely works of art.

The big reveal is schedule for September 27 so they have a bit of time to catch up if they were behind, but most of them are right up to date - if not ahead.  Wow - that is DEDICATION.


Here is what we saw at the last class..............

Jo - |I believe she is DONE all the blocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kathy -

Linda

Judy

Mary

Bernice

Ladies - all I can say is that you are all AMAZING. I think these quilts are going to knock your socks off when you get them done and many have already finished or are very close.   Hope the date of September 27 is an incentive for you to get them completed.  No worries if it is just a top - we can live with the tops!!!!!!!!



Anita was busy working on a gift.  She made this from a photograph of a farm that belongs in the family.

Anita's farm quilt - it is STUNNING.  Awesome job

And there you have it - the almost last Dear Jane.   The group will now have the summer to get the rest of the blocks and the border blocks (if they are doing them) done and then assemble.  I cannot wait to see the quilts at the end of September.


Don't forget to check out QUILTsocial to see how sewing on the Husqvarna Viking H|Class 100Q went at the retreat.  Loads of fun.


Have a great day!


Ciao!!

Just shoot me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There always seems to be so much going on - I just can't keep up!  New projects, new quilts, classes, sales, ACK - so much!!!!!!!    But I am having the time of my life - and that is all that counts.

I was chatting to a friend on Facebook - he is retired and boy - he is definitely enjoying his retirement!  So nice to see since many people, in particular men - just have nothing to do when they retire!


I promised that I would post pictures of our little side trips from last week.  On our way to Ailsa Craig - we just had to stop at The Quilt Place in Shakespeare.  I mean - it is NOT good for the circulation to be cooped up in the car for too long.

They have TWO exhibits going on right now at the store - Henny Bremer and her MINI MARVELS.  These mini quilts are just so beautiful.  Well worth a stop just for the mini quilts. And the second show is Practice Makes Perfect by the Shakespeare Quilt Club.  Again some wonderful ideas. The shows run until June 15 and if you are going that way - they are a must see.   I am NOT posting pictures - better if you go and see them.

However - we also had to have a peek at the shop. Oh dear - we did find a few goodies, but Tish and I were both on good behaviour and didn't do too much damage.  But (and if this ever happens again - just SHOOT me) look what I found..................

More tractor fabric and I bought a half meter.   This is it - NO MORE!!!!!!!   I plan to cut up the tractor stuff in the next couple of days and the rest (if there is any) - I am giving away.   I don't ever want to buy tractor fabric again!!!!!

Back in the car and well - by the time we reached Stratford, our legs were severely cramped (wink, wink)  and needed to stop for a stretch. Oh my - look - here is another quilt store. Ye Olde Fabric Shoppe. I am amazed that I remember where each of these stores are - I haven't been to them that many times!!!   However I had heard through the grapevine that some fabric that I wanted could be found here and my source was absolutely right!!!!!!!!

I purchased this kit from The Quilt Patch (Moose Jaw) at the CreativFestival but I wanted to make it larger. I got the lighter colours at Heart n Home and YES - the darker fabrics were at Ye Olde Fabric Shoppe!!!!!

Right on!!!!!!!!!!!!!     Then back in the car and we finally arrived at our destination - The Ailsa Craig Quilt Festival - which as I blogged about last week was fabulous (It ended last week - but put the dates in your calendar for next year).  It is always funny how people can visit the same show and have such different out looks.  We booked a half day workshop, we planned some side trips, we planned on lunch, seeing the quilts, chatting with the vendors, taking pictures for personal use and strengthening friendships.  It was a super super day. I heard other people say that it was far to go for just the show. Well yes - it is far - that is why we planned all the other stuff to make it worthwhile!!!!!   Just me - the eternal optimist!!!!

Then to get home we took a different route and went through London - London, Ontario that is!!!!   Just so happens there is a Fabricland in London.  OH MY GOD - this is probably THE best Fabricland that I have been to. It is bright, it is big, it is spacious and the quilting cotton section is HUGE.  Oh my - could they possibly have my fabric??????  Rats - they did not. BUT look what I found.................

This was on the sale rack and I could NOT leave it behind. I am thinking One Block Wonder or Stack n Whack (Once you make one of those quilts - it is hard to get it out of your mind!!!!!!!!!!)

And then I saw this which was NOT on sale.  The pictures does NOT do it justice - it is just brilliant. 

Well I did some math in my head and of course the sales ladies were helping too.  As a member, I did get a discount, they gave us a coupon worth an additional 10% of our entire purchase (some company wide sale) AND I remembered I had my gift certificate for $46 that I had won at my local store as part of their birthday sale. Hmmmmmmm - more math and WHY NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!


So I walked out of there with TEN meters of gorgeous fabric and a really nice cushion cover (which I will show you another day - retail price $40 but was on sale) and I paid $56 including tax.  I thought that was a pretty decent deal!!!!!!


It is always fun to go shopping for others and Diane had asked us to be on the lookout for these. She has become hexagon crazy.

Mission accomplished - we found what she was looking for. 

And yes - I am getting some work done - but it is tough some days - there just seems to be so much to do.
Especially class samples  and already working on stuff for 2015!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I know - I have to keep WAY ahead of the students and I am trying desperately to NOT have any UFOs by the end of the year for these ongoing projects.   ACK - that means THREE quilts that have to be done.  It is doable  - just have to remember to FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS.

Customer quilt - DONE

And this is a cheater cloth for Dear Jane. I quilted up the sashings in four different ways so it would give the class last weekend an idea of which style they preferred.  It will be a good teaching sample for machine quilting.  I will finish up the quilting - cut it apart and finish off the edges.  

 Another crazy day and still lots of craziness to end the week - conference calls (part of the surprise), clubs, quilts to quilt, yard sales and well - it is going to be crazy - but FUN FUN FUN!!!!   Oh yes - I know I need to get more work done in the garden.

Oh yes - remember the Block of the Month that we are doing at the guild this year????   I saw THREE of them completed yesterday.  Oh MY - this is going to be such an amazing show n tell next week - I cannot wait!!!!!!!


On that note - I am out of here.


Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


 Ciao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!